Student and other discount travel cards. Are they worth it?

Discount cards like the ISIC international card and HI (Hostelling International) have the potential to save you decent money while overseas, particularly in Europe.

The cards listed below can be arranged before you leave Australia and might also help you save on other travel products like flights and Bus passes before you head off.

The big travel agencies like Student Flights and STA (Student Travel Association) pitch their products at the 18-30, or full time student market.

Despite lots of advertising to the contrary having full time student status will not automatically get you a decent saving through these agencies.

Before the big drop in the price of flights last year being a student might have got you a worthwhile discount on some flights, but things are so cheap at the moment don’t believe the agent that tells you won’t find it cheaper elsewhere just because it’s a student deal your getting.   It’s still worth checking around for something cheaper before you book.

One exception might be round the world flights, with both Student Flights and STA having decent deals for students from time to time.  Check out the buying an RTW ticket page to help you through that process without bias.

Student or HI cards are at their best while backpacking around Europe, with big discounts on rail and attractions like museums and hostels.

The types of cards to consider and what they actually get you:

International Student Identity Card (ISIC) (http://www.isiccard.com/)

Advertises over 40,000 discounts in 100 countries, yet the card is most effective in Europe.  For elsewhere check the website for how much value you will get out of the card.  It lasts for 16 months (September to the following December) and it’s available to full time students of any age.  It currently costs $25.00 dollars with a passport photo and proof of your full time student status needed as well.  You can get it from any STA travel branch.

International Youth (IYTC) or full time teacher’s card (http://www.isiccard.com/)

Also available from STA at the same price as the ISIC card.  For the youth card you have to be under 26 and for the teachers card a full time registered teacher.  It has some benefits but check the website before you fork out the $25.00; both are pretty useless outside Europe.

HI membership card (Hostelling International)

If you are planning on using hostels then becoming a member of the national youth hostel association (YHA) can be a good idea.  It’s affiliated with the world wide group Hostelling international (http://www.hihostels.com/).  Membership affords you a discount for using affiliated hostels across the word (usually a few dollars).   Hostels with membership to HI should adhere to standard safety and cleanliness guidelines.  If you are not a member its full price you pay; though the extra goes towards membership.  After a week or so you will have enough credit for membership anyway.  Definitely a wroth while investment for a backpacking trip.

Euro Under 26 Card

Another worthwhile card might be the Euro <26 card.  Available at (http://www.euro26.org/) it costs $23AUD.  It will give you discounts in over 35 countries on stuff like insurance, transport and more.  Just look for the pink sign with a juggling Hercules for places to use the card.

One more thing: the cheapest discount cards

One thing worth noting is that if you are going anywhere near Bangkok or Cairo there is a roaring trade in fake cards for students; they can be of varying quality but worth a shot if you can’t get one from home because you’re not a student.  It might just save you some serious dollars.

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